Container assembly having exterior and interior containers

ABSTRACT

A container assembly includes exterior and interior containers, a cover, driving and driven members, and a transmission member. The cover is connected pivotally to the exterior container so as to move towards or away from a top opening of the exterior container. The driving member rotates along with the cover. The transmission member is pivotally connected to the driving and driven members. The driven member turns upward and lifts the interior container when the cover is moved away from the top opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a container assembly, more particularly to a container assembly having an interior container disposed inside an exterior container.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a container assembly 1 for receiving an article 100, which is disclosed in Taiwanese utility model no. M322176. The container assembly 1 includes a container body 10, a cover 11, driving and driven members 12, 13, and a transmission member 14. The container body 10 has a bottom wall 101, a surrounding wall 102, and a top opening 103 opposite to the bottom wall 101. The cover 11 is connected pivotally to the container body 10 so as to move towards or away from the top opening 103. The driving member 12 is fulcrummed inside the surrounding wall 102 in proximity to the top opening 103 and is fixed to the cover 11 so as to rotate along with the cover 11. The transmission member 14 is disposed in the surrounding wall 102 and has a top end connected pivotally to the driving member 12 and a bottom end connected pivotally to the driven member 13. The driven member 13 is fulcrummed inside the surrounding wall 102 in proximity to the bottom wall 101 and can turn upward and lift the article 100 when the cover 11 is moved away from the top opening 103.

However, as the article 100 is directly placed inside the container body 10, improper actions of placement and removal of the article 100 can damage the driving and driven members 12, 13, the transmission member 14 or the article 100 during the opening movement of the cover 11.

Furthermore, the conventional container assembly 1 is not suitable for storing small articles, such as dental floss, toothpicks, etc, because, if the small articles fall onto the driven member 13 or the transmission member 14, they can be stuck thereat, thereby rendering the driven member 13 or the transmission member 14 immovable. On the other hand, the driving and driven members 12, 13, and the transmission member 14 that contact directly the contents placed inside the container body 10 can be easily contaminated by the contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a container assembly that can overcome the aforesaid drawbacks associated with the prior art.

Accordingly, a container assembly of the present invention comprises:

an exterior container including a first bottom wall, a first surrounding wall, and a first top opening opposite to the first bottom wall;

an interior container received in the exterior container and including a second bottom wall disposed above the first bottom wall, a second surrounding wall, and a second top opening opposite to the second bottom wall;

a cover connected pivotally to the exterior container so as to move towards or away from the first top opening;

a driving member fulcrummed inside the first surrounding wall by means of a pair of first fulcrum pin elements in proximity to the first top opening, and fixed to the cover so as to rotate along with the cover;

a transmission member disposed between the first and second surrounding walls, and having a top end connected pivotally to the driving member by means of a pair of first pivot pin elements, and a bottom end extending towards the first bottom wall; and

a driven member disposed between the first and second bottom walls, the driven member being fulcrummed inside the first surrounding wall by means of a pair of second fulcrum pin elements and having one end connected pivotally to the bottom end of the transmission member by means of a pair of second pivot pin elements, the driven member turning upward and lifting the second bottom wall when the cover is moved away from the first top opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly cross-sectional view of a conventional container assembly disclosed in Taiwanese utility model no. M322176, with a cover closing a top opening of a container body;

FIG. 2 is a partly cross-sectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 1, with the cover moved away from the top opening;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partly cross-sectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 3 illustrating a cover that closes a first top opening of an exterior container;

FIG. 5 is a partly cross-sectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 3 with the cover moved away from the first top opening;

FIG. 6 is a partly exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partly exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partly exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partly exploded perspective view of the fifth embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a partly exploded perspective view of the sixth embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying preferred embodiments, it should be noted herein that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a container assembly of the first embodiment according to the present invention is shown to include a container unit 3, a driving unit 4, and a guide unit 5.

The container unit 3 includes exterior and interior containers 31, 32, and a cover 33.

The exterior container 31 includes a first bottom wall 311, a first surrounding wall 312, and a first top opening 313 opposite to the first bottom wall 311. In the preferred embodiment, the first surrounding wall 312 has four sidewalls.

The interior container 32 is received in the exterior container 31 and includes a second bottom wall 321 disposed above the first bottom wall 311, a second surrounding wall 322, a second top opening 323 opposite to the second bottom wall 321, and a partition member 324 to divide the interior container 32 into a plurality of spaces 325.

The cover 33 is connected pivotally to the exterior container 31 so as to move towards or away from the first top opening 313.

The driving unit 4 includes a driving member 41, a transmission member 42, a driven member 43, and a mounting member 44 having a pair of slide rails 441, and a pair of slides 442.

The slide rails 441 are formed inside a sidewall 314 of the first surrounding wall 312 and extend downwardly from the first top opening 313 to the first bottom wall 311. The slides 442 engage slidably and respectively the slide rails 441. The driving and driven members 41, 43 and the transmission member 42 are disposed between the slides 442.

The driving member 41 is fulcrummed to the slides 442 inside the first surrounding wall 312 by means of a pair of first fulcrum pin elements 413 in proximity to the first top opening 313. The driving member 41 has a first portion 411 fixed to the cover 33, and a second portion 412 connected pivotally to the transmission member 42 by means of a pair of first pivot pin elements 414. The first fulcrum pin elements 413 are disposed between the first and second portions 411, 412 and are inserted respectively into the slides 442. As such, the driving member 41 can rotate along with the cover 33.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first fulcrum pin elements 413 are respectively provided on two opposite sides of the driving member 41, and the first pivot pin elements 414 are respectively provided on two opposite sides of the second portion 412 of the driving member 41.

The transmission member 42 is disposed between the first and second surrounding walls 312, 322, and has top and bottom ends 421, 422. The top end 421 is connected pivotally to the second portion 412 of the driving member 41. The bottom end 422 extends towards the first bottom wall 311 and is connected pivotally to the driven member 43.

The driven member 43 is disposed between the first and second bottom walls 311, 321, and is fulcrummed inside the first surrounding wall 312 by means of a pair of second fulcrum pin elements 433. The driven member 43 has a lifting portion 431 and a connection portion 432. The lifting portion 431 extends beneath the second bottom wall 321. The connection portion 432 is connected pivotally to the bottom end 422 of the transmission member 42 by means of a pair of second pivot pin elements 434. The driven member 43 turns upward and lifts the second bottom wall 321 when the cover 33 is moved away from the first top opening 313. The second fulcrum pin elements 433 are disposed between the lifting portion 431 and the connection portion 432, and are inserted respectively into the slides 442.

The guide unit 5 includes first and second guide members 51, 52, which are respectively disposed on an inner surface of the first surrounding wall 312 and an outer surface of the second surrounding wall 322, and which are engaged slidably with each other, such that a movement of the interior container 32 relative to the exterior container 31 is guided by the first and second guide members 51, 52.

In this embodiment, the first guide member 51 is a protrusion formed on the inner surface of a sidewall 315 opposite to the sidewall 314 of the first surrounding wall 312. The second guide member 52 is a slide groove extending downwardly in the outer surface of the second surrounding wall 322 from the second top opening 323 to receive slidably the protrusion of the first guide member 51.

When the cover 33 closing the first top opening 313 (see FIG. 4) rotates to move away from the first top opening 313 (see FIG. 5), the driving member 41 rotates along with the cover 33 (i.e., the first portion 411 turns upwardly, and the second portion 412 turns downwardly). Accordingly, the transmission member 42 connected pivotally to the second portion 412 is moved downwardly. Then, the connection portion 432 is turned downwardly with the bottom end 422 of the transmission member 42, and the lifting portion 431 is turned upwardly to lift the second bottom wall 321. When the second bottom wall 321 is lifted by the driven member 43, the interior container 32 is moved upwardly and guided by the first and second guide members 51, 52.

Similarly, when the cover 33 rotates to move towards the first top opening 313, the first portion 411 of the driving member 41 turns downwardly and the second portion 412 turns upwardly. Accordingly, the transmission member 42 connected pivotally to the second portion 412 is moved upwardly. Then, the connection portion 432 is turned upwardly with the bottom end 422 of the transmission member 42, the lifting portion 431 is turned downwardly, and the interior container 32 moves downwardly and is guided by the first and second guide members 51, 52.

Because the driving and driven members 41, 43 and the transmission member 42 are disposed between the slides 442 and are disposed between the slide rails 441 that engage the slides 442, and because the movement of the interior container 32 can be limited and guided by the first surrounding wall 312, the slide rails 441, and the slides 442, the interior container 32 does not contact or strike the driving member 41 or the transmission member 42 when moving inside the exterior container 31.

With the provision of the interior container 32, the container assembly of the present invention can receive small articles. With the provision of the mounting member 44 and the guide unit 5, the interior container 32 can be moved stably and smoothly. Furthermore, because the slides 442 engage slidably the slide rails 441, it is easy to clean the container assembly of this embodiment by removing the driving and driven members 41, 43 and the transmission member 42 from the container unit 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates the second embodiment of the container assembly of this invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the container assembly does not includes the mounting member 44 and the partition member 324 of the first embodiment, and that the structures of the driving and driven members 41, 43, the transmission member 42, and the guide unit 5 are different.

In this embodiment, the driving member 41 is a bent metal structure, and includes a U-shaped portion 4101 fixed to the cover 33, and a pair of first rods 4102 that extend respectively from two ends of the U-shaped portion 4101 into the first surrounding wall 312. The driving member 41 is fulcrummed to two opposite sidewalls 316 of the first surrounding wall 312 by means of an upper rod 410 having the pair of first fulcrum pin elements 413.

The transmission member 42 has a pair of second rods 420 that are made from metal, and that are respectively and pivotally connected to the first rods 4102.

The driven member 43 has a plate connected pivotally to the second rods 420. The driven member 43 is fulcrummed to the two opposite sidewalls 316 of the first surrounding wall 312 by means of a lower rod 430 having the pair of second fulcrum pin elements 433.

In this embodiment, the first guide member 51 is a slide groove downwardly extending from the first top opening 313 in the inner surface of the sidewall 315 of the first surrounding wall 312. The second guide member 52 is a protrusion slidably fitted into the slide groove of the first guide member 51.

By using the driving member 41 and the transmission member 42 that are made from metal, the container assembly in this embodiment has a lighter weight.

FIG. 7 illustrates the third embodiment of the container assembly of this invention. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in that the structure of the guide unit 5 is different.

In this embodiment, the first guide member 51 is formed in the inner surface of the sidewall 315 of the first surrounding wall 312, and includes an upper slide groove 511 and a lower slide groove 512. The upper slide groove 511 extends downwardly from the first top opening 313 in the inner surface of the sidewall 315. The lower slide groove 512 extends downwardly from and is narrower than the upper slide groove 511.

The second guide member 52 is formed in the outer surface of the interior container 32, and includes a protrusion 521 slidably fitted into the upper slide groove 51, and a rib 522 extending downwardly from a bottom end of the protrusion 521 and slidably fitted into the lower slide groove 512. The rib 522 has a width narrower than that of the protrusion 521.

With the guide unit 5 of this embodiment, the movement of the interior container 32 relative to the exterior container 31 can be fully guided by the guide unit 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth embodiment of the container assembly of this invention. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment only in that the container assembly further includes a pair of magnetic members 71, 72 respectively provided on the second bottom wall 321 and the driven member 43 such that the pair of magnetic members 71, 72 are attracted to each other.

With the provision of the magnetic members 71, 72, the interior container 32 can be prevented from accidentally falling off the exterior container 31 when moved outward by the driven member 43.

FIG. 9 illustrates the fifth embodiment of the container assembly of this invention. The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment only in that the container assembly further includes a pair of wedge-shaped recesses 81 and a pair of wedge-shaped protrusions 82.

The wedge-shaped recesses 81 are respectively formed in the inner surface of the sidewalls 316 of the first surrounding wall 312. The wedge-shaped protrusions 82 are formed in the outer surface of the second surrounding wall 322. The wedge-shaped protrusions 82 are detachably engaged to the wedge-shaped recesses 81.

Of course, the number and positions of the wedge-shaped recesses and protrusions 81, 82 can be changed based on the size and the shape of the container assembly, and should not be limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates the sixth embodiment of the container assembly of this invention. The sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment only in that the container assembly further includes two torsion springs 91 and a pair of buffer members 92.

Each torsion spring 91 is disposed around one of the first pivot pin elements 414 and abuts against and urges the driving member 41 so that the cover 33 is moved away from the first top opening 313.

The buffer members 92 are rubber sleeves which are disposed respectively around the first fulcrum pin elements 413, and contact frictionally the sidewalls 316 and the driving member 41 to absorb a shock induced by an opening movement of the cover 33.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A container assembly comprising: an exterior container including a first bottom wall, a first surrounding wall, and a first top opening opposite to said first bottom wall; an interior container received in said exterior container and including a second bottom wall disposed above said first bottom wall, a second surrounding wall, and a second top opening opposite to said second bottom wall; a cover connected pivotally to said exterior container so as to move towards or away from said first top opening; a driving member fulcrummed inside said first surrounding wall by means of a pair of first fulcrum pin elements in proximity to said first top opening, and fixed to said cover so as to rotate along with said cover; a transmission member disposed between said first and second surrounding walls, and having a top end connected pivotally to said driving member by means of a pair of first pivot pin elements, and a bottom end extending towards said first bottom wall; and a driven member disposed between said first and second bottom walls, said driven member being fulcrummed inside said first surrounding wall by means of a pair of second fulcrum pin elements and having one end connected pivotally to said bottom end of said transmission member by means of a pair of second pivot pin elements, said driven member turning upward and lifting said second bottom wall when said cover is moved away from said first top opening.
 2. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising first and second guide members respectively disposed on an inner surface of said first surrounding wall and an outer surface of said second surrounding wall, and engaged slidably with each other such that a movement of said interior container relative to said exterior container is guided by said first and second guide members.
 3. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein said first guide member is a protrusion formed on said inner surface of said first surrounding wall, said second guide member being a slide groove extending downwardly in said outer surface of said second surrounding wall from said second top opening to receive slidably said protrusion.
 4. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein said first guide member is a slide groove downwardly extending from said first top opening in said inner surface of said first surrounding wall, said second guide member being a protrusion slidably fitted into said slide groove.
 5. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein: said first guide member is formed in said inner surface of said first surrounding wall and includes an upper slide groove extending downwardly from said first top opening in said inner surface of said first surrounding wall, and a lower slide groove extending downwardly from and narrower than said upper slide groove; said second guide member is formed in said outer surface of said interior container, and includes a protrusion slidably fitted into said upper slide groove, and a rib extending downwardly from a bottom end of said protrusion and slidably fitted into said lower slide groove; and said rib has a width narrower than that of said protrusion.
 6. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of slide rails formed inside said first surrounding wall and extending downwardly from said first top opening to said first bottom wall, and a pair of slides engaging slidably and respectively said slide rails, said driving and driven members and said transmission member being disposed between said slides, each of said driving member and said driven member being fulcrummed to said slides.
 7. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein said driving member has a first portion fixed to said cover, and a second portion connected pivotally to said transmission member, said first fulcrum pin elements being disposed between said first and second portions and inserted respectively into said slides.
 8. The container assembly of claim 7, wherein said driven member has a lifting portion extending beneath said second bottom wall, and a connection portion connected pivotally to said transmission member, said second fulcrum pin elements being disposed between said lifting portion and said connection portion and inserted respectively into said slides.
 9. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein: said driving member includes a U-shaped portion fixed to said cover, and a pair of first rods that extend respectively from two ends of said U-shaped portion into said first surrounding wall; said transmission member has a pair of second rods that are respectively and pivotally connected to said first rods; and said driven member has a plate connected pivotally to said second rods.
 10. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one torsion spring disposed around at least one of said first pivot pin elements and abutting against and urging said driving member so that said cover is moved away from said first top opening.
 11. The container assembly of claim 10, further comprising at least one buffer member disposed around at least one of said first fulcrum pin elements and contacting frictionally said first surrounding wall and said driving member to absorb a shock induced by an opening movement of said cover.
 12. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of magnetic members respectively provided on said second bottom wall and said driven member such that said pair of magnetic members are attracted to each other.
 13. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising a wedge-shaped recess formed in said inner surface of said first surrounding wall, and a wedge-shaped protrusion formed in said outer surface of said second surrounding wall, said wedge-shaped protrusion being detachably engaged to said wedge-shaped recess.
 14. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising a partition member for dividing said interior container into a plurality of spaces. 